Lifting bar and lifting bar connector

ABSTRACT

A patient lift connector for attaching and detaching a patient lifting bar to a load supporting member in a patient lifting system is described. The connector includes a connector body including a connecting block configured to be fixedly attached to the patient lifting bar. The connector also includes a pin holder coupled to the load supporting member and configured to be inserted through the connector body and into the connecting block, and an attachment latch secured to the connector body and configured to move between an open position and a closed position within the connector body. When the attachment latch moves from the closed position to the open position, the pin holder is allowed to be inserted into the connecting block and thereby allow the lifting bar to be attached to the load supporting member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos.61/532,300 and 61/532,328, each filed on Sep. 8, 2011, and each of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a lifting bar and lifting barconnector and, more particularly, to lifting bar and lifting barconnector for use with patient lifts.

BACKGROUND

A patient lift may include a track-riding motor unit configured to ridealong an elongated track. The track may be suspended to descend from aceiling or other elevated structure, which may occupy less space in aroom than another lift, such as, a floor lift. A load supporting member,for example, a flexible member such as a strap or cable, may extend fromthe motor unit and may be wound and unwound to raise and lower a liftingbar. The lifting bar can be secured to a sling, cradle, or other patientsupport for supporting a patient. A caregiver may use a control unit tocontrol the motor unit to ride along the track and/or raise or lower thelifting bar in order to move the patient as desired.

A variety of lifting bars and lifting bar operations may be availabledepending on how the patient lift is to be used, i.e., depending on howthe patient is to be supported and/or moved. The caregiver may replaceone lifting bar with another by disconnecting a lifting bar from theload-supporting member and connecting another lifting bar to theload-supporting member.

As one example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,787 (“the '787 patent) describes aceiling lift having a winch that can be attached to an overhead rail. Alifting strap projects from the winch, and has a free end that isattached to a spreader bar. According to the '787 patent, theextremities of the spreader bar are provided with hooks for attaching asling or the like holding a patient to be lifted. The spreader bar isdirectly connected to the winch at a female seat, and there is a quickcoupling system provided at the spreader bar and the free end of thelifting strap. The winch may be activated to wind the strap to lift thespreader bar attached thereto.

As another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0064432(“the '432 publication”) describes a patient lifting device fordisplacing persons between various positions or areas. The deviceincludes a lift strap extending from a housing to a lifting frame. The'432 publication further discloses that a sling may be removableattached to the lifting frame.

Thus, there is a need for an improved lifting bar and lifting barconnector that is more efficient and convenient to use in a medical liftsystem.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a patient lift connector for attaching and detaching apatient lifting bar to a load supporting member in a patient liftingsystem is described. The connector includes a connector body including aconnecting block configured to be fixedly attached to the patientlifting bar. The connector also includes a pin holder coupled to theload supporting member and configured to be inserted through theconnector body and into the connecting block, and an attachment latchsecured to the connector body and configured to move between an openposition and a closed position within the connector body. When theattachment latch moves from the closed position to the open position,the pin holder is allowed to be inserted into the connecting block andthereby allow the lifting bar to be attached to the load supportingmember.

In another aspect, a patient lift connector for attaching a patientlifting bar to a load supporting member in a patient lifting system isdescribed. The connector includes a connector body including aconnecting block configured to be fixedly attached to the patientlifting bar. The connector also includes a terminating component of theload supporting member that is configured to be inserted through theconnector body and into a slot of the connecting block, and anattachment latch secured to the connector body and configured to movebetween an open position and a closed position within the connectorbody. The terminating component is configured to move the attachmentlatch from the closed position to the open position to cause attachmentof the lifting bar to the load supporting member, and the slot of theconnecting block is covered by another part of the connector body.

In yet another aspect, a method for attaching a patient lifting bar to aload supporting member in a patient lifting system through the use of aconnector is described. The method includes pressing a terminatingcomponent of the load supporting member against an attachment latch ofthe connector, wherein the attachment latch is secured to a connectorbody configured to be connected to the lifting bar. The method furtherincludes moving the terminating component through a part of theconnector body and into a slot of a connecting block. The attachmentlatch is configured to move between an open position and a closedposition within the connector body, such that the attachment latch movesto the open position when the terminating component is pressed againstthe attachment latch and wherein the attachment latch moves to theclosed position when the terminating component moves along the slot ofthe connecting block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments and aspects ofthe present devices and methods. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling lift system consistent withthe embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a lifting bar according to a first exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the lifting bar of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a lifting baraccording to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view of a cover disposed on the lifting bar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the lifting bar connector consistent withthe disclosed embodiments and shown as connected to the lifting bar ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an assembled view of the lifting bar connector of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates the attachment of a load supporting member to theassembled lifting bar connector of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates the detachment of a load supporting member from theassembled lifting bar connector of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lifting bar according to a thirdexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lifting bar according to a fourthexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a lifting bar according to a fifthexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lifting bar according to a sixthexemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a lifting bar according to a seventhexemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following description should be read with reference to the drawingswherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout theseveral views. The detailed description and drawings illustrate exampleembodiments of the claimed device(s) and method(s).

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a ceiling lift system 2consistent with exemplary embodiments described herein. The lift system2 may include a track system 4 suspended from and extending along aceiling or other wall or elevated structure, and a ceiling lifter 6 maymove along the track system 4. The lifter 6 may be manually movablealong the track system 4, or the lifter 6 may be a motorized unitautomatically movable along the track system 4. A load supporting member10 may extend from the ceiling lifter 6. In some instances, the loadsupporting member 10 may extend from an internal space of the ceilinglifter 6, wherein the load supporting member 10 is configured to bewound and unwound by the lifter 6 in order to raise and lower a liftingbar 12. In some instances, the load supporting member 10 may be aflexible load supporting member, such as a strap, cable, rope, or cord,or the load supporting member 10 may be a rigid supporting member madeof metals and/or hard plastics, or the like.

The lifting bar 12 may be connected to the load supporting member 10 viaa connector 60, which is described in more detail with respect to FIGS.6-8. Although the ceiling lift system 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes thelifting bar 12 according to a first exemplary embodiment, anotherlifting bar embodiment, such as the lifting bar 112 of a secondexemplary embodiment described herein with respect to FIGS. 4, 6, and 7,may also be used. Furthermore, either lifting bar 12 or 112 may also bereferred to as a supporting bar, a spreader bar, a lifting member, orthe like. Additionally, a patient support 8, such as a sling, cradle, orother device, may be connected to the lifting bar 12 for movablysupporting a patient. The patient support 8 may also be referred toherein as a patient lift apparatus. The lift system 2 may furtherinclude a control unit (not shown), such as a wired or wireless handheldbutton controller, for electrically communicating with the lifter 6 toinstruct the lifter 6 to ride along the track system 4 and/or raise orlower the lifting bar 12 to move a patient supported in the patientsupport 8.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the lifting bar 12 separated from theceiling lift system 2 shown in FIG. 1. The lifting bar 12 may be anelongated member that includes an elongated main body 13, which mayinclude ridges 17 and 18 protruding from one or more sides of thelifting bar 12. The lifting bar 12 can also include support connectors14 extending from opposite ends of the main body 13. The supportconnectors 14 may be hooks, clasps, clips, or any other supportingand/or fastening member. Each support connector 14 may include an end 16having an aperture 19 extending therethrough. As shown in FIG. 2, insome instances, the end 16 may be rounded, such that it exhibits aspherical or cylindrical shape. The aperture 19, which may either extendall the way through the end 16 or only a portion of the way through theend 16, is configured to receive a component, such as a safety mechanism28. The support connectors 14 can allow connection of the loadsupporting member 10 to the lifting bar 12 (FIG. 1). As described inmore detail below, the support connectors 14 can be formed into the mainbody 13 of the lifting bar 12 so that the lifting bar 12 is a singleelement. The support connectors 14 may each form or define a space 26for receiving a portion of the patient support 8. The space 26, whichmay also be referred to as a depression, socket, gap, or the like, caninclude a supporting surface 24 located on an inner side of each supportconnector 14. The safety mechanism 28, which can be a latch, clasp,fastener, or other similar movable mechanism, can be movably attached tothe support connector 14 to prevent the patient support 8, such as astrap of a sling in contact with the supporting surface 24, fromunintentionally exiting the space 26.

Although two support connectors 14 are shown in FIG. 2, additionalsupport connectors 14 could be formed as part of the lifting bar 12. Themain body 13 of the lifting bar 12 also includes a first surface 21 anda second surface 23 on an opposite side of the main body 13 as the firstsurface 21. Because the lifting bar 12 may be arranged in the ceilinglift system 2 as shown in FIG. 1, the first surface 21 may be referredto as an upper surface, and the second surface 23 may be referred to asa lower surface.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lifting bar 12 may have a length 200extending from an outermost edge of one support connector 14 to anoutermost edge of another support connector 14 disposed on an oppositeend of the main body 13 of the lifting bar 12. In some instances, thelength 200 may be between about 30.5 and 61.0 cm (between about 12.0 and24.0 inches). For example, in one implementation, the length 200 may beabout 45.7 cm (about 18.0 inches). The lifting bar 112 of FIGS. 4, 6,and 7 may have dimensions similar to those of the lifting bar 12. Thesevalues are examples only, as the lifting bars 12, 112 may have a varietyof other lengths depending on, for example, the size of the patient tobe supported by the ceiling lift system 2.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the lifting bar 12 shown in FIG. 2, thatis, the second (lower) surface 23 shown in FIG. 3. The lifting bar 12can include a lifting bar aperture 29, which can be a through-holeextending from the lower surface 23 to the upper surface 21 andconfigured to receive a lifting bar pin 130 (FIGS. 4 and 6). Althoughthe lifting bar aperture 29 shown in FIG. 3 is circular, other shapescould be provided, such as, oval-like or rectangular to accommodatelifting bar pins having a variety of cross-sectional shapes.Additionally, while the lifting bar aperture 29 is shown in FIG. 3 at alocation at or near the middle of the length 200 of the lifting bar 12,other types of apertures may be used. For example, the lifting bar 12may include two apertures equally spaced from the center of the liftingbar 12.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a lifting bar 112separated from the ceiling lift system 2 according to another exampleembodiment. The lifting bar 112 may be an elongated member. However,while the lifting bar 12 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be manufacturedas a single, solid component, the lifting bar 112 shown in FIG. 4 mayalso include an inner core 150 extending through portions of a separatelifting bar main body 113 and/or portions of one or more supportconnectors 114. The portion of the inner core 150 extending through andsurrounded by one or more support connectors 114 may be referred to asthe inner core support connectors 162. The inner core 150 may have avariety of configurations to extend through any portion of the main body113 and support connectors 114 of the lifting bar. The inner core 150may be made of any material; for example, durable materials such asmetals or hard plastics. In some instances, the inner core 150 may bereferred to as a metallic beam. Also, in some embodiments, the materialfrom which the inner core 150 is made is harder than the materialforming the lifting bar main body 113 and support connectors 114, whichtogether may be referred to as a skeletal support structure for theinner core 150.

The inner core 150 may include a plurality of sheets. For example, innercore 150 may include a first sheet 152 and a second sheet 154 havingfaces in contact with one another. The sheets 152, 154, which may alsobe referred to as plates, may be connected via any fastening or adheringconfiguration, such as welding, riveting, or applying an adhesive on thecontacting faces. In some instances, the sheets 152, 154 forming theinner core may be metallic or made from a hard plastic. FIG. 4 shows theinner core 150 formed of a plurality of layered sheets 152, 154. Flanges156, 158, 160 may extend from the sheets 152, 154. As shown in FIG. 4, afirst flange 156 extends from the first sheet 152, and second and thirdflanges 158, 160, respectively, extend from the second sheet 154. Afourth flange (not shown) may extend from the first sheet 152 in adirection opposite the third flange 160. The inner core 150 may alsoinclude holes 164, which may be retaining pin holes, formed in the innercore 150 so that the inner core 150 can be held in place during amolding process, which is described in more detail below. Although theinner core 150 is described herein as having various features, the innercore can have other shapes and features, and/or be made of a materialother than metal. Also, as described in more detail below, the innercore 150 can have a shape and features similar to the lifting bar mainbody 113 and supporting connectors 114 that are formed over the innercore 150.

The lifting bar main body 113 may include a first, or upper, surface 121and a second, or lower, surface 123 located opposite the first surface121. A first ridge 117 and a second ridge 118 may protrude from one ormore sides of the lifting bar 112. Additionally, the lifting bar 112 caninclude strips 125 and/or holes extending along the length of thelifting bar 112, which may be the result of a first molding process, andwhich can be filled in with a material during a second molding process,as described in more detail below.

As described herein, the lifting bar 112 can include support connectors114 at opposite ends of the main body 113. The support connectors 114may be hooks, clasps, clips, or any other supporting and/or fasteningmember. Each support connector 114 may include an end 116 having anaperture 119 extending therethrough. As shown in FIG. 4, in someinstances the end 116 may be rounded, such that it exhibits a sphericalor cylindrical shape. The aperture 119, which may either extend all theway through the end 116 or only a portion of the way through the end116, is configured to receive a component, such as a safety mechanism102 (FIG. 6). The support connectors 114 can allow connection of theload supporting member 10 (FIG. 1) to the lifting bar 112. As describedin more detail below, the support connectors 114 can be formed with themain body 113 of the lifting bar 112 so that the main body 113 andsupport connectors 114 are a single element. The support connectors 114may each form or define a space 126 for receiving a portion of thepatient support 8. The space 126, which may also be referred to as adepression, socket, gap, or the like, can include a supporting surface124 located on an inner side of each support connector 114. Although twosupport connectors 114 are shown in FIG. 4, additional supportconnectors 114 could be formed as part of the lifting bar 112.

Similar to the lifting bar 12 as illustrated in FIG. 5, the safetymechanism 102, such as a safety latch, may prevent the patient support 8from unintentionally detaching from the lifting bar 112. The safetymechanism 102 may have various configurations that reduce the likelihoodthat the patient support 8 will unintentionally detach from the liftingbar 112, while allowing for intentional detachment of the patientsupport 8 from the lifting bar 112. As shown in FIG. 6, the safetymechanism 102 can be secured to either the support connector 114, forexample, at the end 116 of the support connector through the aperture119, or to the lifting bar body 112. The safety mechanism 102 may alsobe formed integrally with the lifting bar main body 113 or with thesupport connector 114. This integral formation may ensure that there areno interruptions, such as gaps or other joints, between the safetymechanism 102 and the lifting bar main body 113 or the support connector114.

The lifting bar 112 may include a lifting bar aperture 129 for receivinga lifting bar pin 130. Similar to the lifting bar aperture 29 of thelifting bar 12 shown in FIG. 3, the lifting bar aperture 129 can be athrough hole extending from the lower surface 123 to the upper surface121. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the lifting bar pin 130 mayinclude a lifting bar pin aperture 140 configured to receive aconnecting block pin 90 therethrough (FIG. 6).

FIG. 5 shows a cover 27 removably disposed on the lifting bar 12 ofFIG. 1. The cover 27 may be any type of removable protective padding tocover at least a portion of the lifting bar 12. For example, the cover27 may cover a substantial amount of the main body 13 of the lifting bar12, while leaving the support connectors 14 uncovered. The cover 27 maybe wrapped or secured around the lifting bar 12 in a number of ways, forexample, using a fastening device such as a zipper or hook-and-loopfasteners disposed along a side of the cover 27. Although the cover 27is shown as being disposed on the lifting bar 12, the cover 27 may alsobe used to cover the lifting bar 112 shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of an exemplary connector 60 for thelifting bar 112 shown in FIG. 4. Although the connector 60 is shown asbeing connected to the lifting bar 112, the following descriptionrelated to the lifting bar 112 and the lifting bar connector 60 may alsobe applicable to the lifting bar 12 shown in a described with respect toFIGS. 1-3 and 5. As described herein, a safety mechanism 102, such as alatch, can be provided with the lifting bar 112. The safety mechanism102, which can be connected to a safety mechanism spring 104, may beconnected to the end 116 of the support connector 114 via a safetymechanism pin 106. When assembled (FIG. 7), the spring 104 can bias thesafety mechanism 102 to a closed position in which the safety mechanismcontacts the main body 113 of the lifting bar 112 (FIG. 7). Providingthe described safety mechanism 102 arrangement, including the spring104, can reduce the likelihood that the patient support 8 willunintentionally detach from the lifting bar 112, while allowing forintentional detachment of the patient support 8 from the lifting bar112.

The connector 60 may include the load supporting member 10, for example,a flexible load supporting member such as a strap. In some instances, aportion of the load supporting member 10 may be a slot 15 for receivinga pin holder 20. The slot 15 and pin holder 20 may be collectivelyreferred to as a terminating component of the load supporting member, aterminating member, or the like. In some embodiments, the slot 15 may bereplaced with a clasp, hook, buckle, or any other connecting or affixingmechanism capable of interfacing with a connecting block cover 35 and/ora connecting block 65, either directly or via another component, such asthe pin holder 20. The pin holder 20 may include a pin holder drum 25configured to receive a pin 30 therethrough, and a pair of wings 22. Thepin holder 20 may alternatively or additionally include a clasp, hook,buckle, or any other connecting mechanism suited to interface with theconnecting block cover 35 and/or the connecting block 65. In someinstances, the pin holder drum 25 and pin 30 may be integrated.Additionally, in an example embodiment, the pin holder drum 25 may beformed as a separate component, and may be hingedly secured to a pinholder to allow the pin holder and the pin holder drum 25 to beadjustable.

The connector 60 may include a connector body, which, in some instances,is comprised of the connecting block cover 35 and the connecting block65. The connecting block cover 35 may have a block cover socket 40 forreceiving the connecting block 65 and the pin holder drum 25 therein.The connector body may also include indents 45 in the block cover 35formed in a surface thereof, which allow the pin holder drum 25 and pin30 to pass therethrough. First pin apertures 50 of the block cover 35,also referred to as latch pin apertures 50, may be configured to receivelatch pins 110 therethrough, and second pin apertures 55 of the blockcover 35, also referred to as connecting block cover pin apertures, maybe configured to receive a connecting block pin 90 therethrough. Theconnecting block pin 90 may also be configured to receive a connectingblock pin cover 95 therethrough. The block cover socket 40 may besituated at any position in the connecting block cover 35, for example,along another desired axis. It can have any configuration capable ofaccepting all or a portion of the connecting block 65 therein, and theconnecting block 65 may be non-removably received within the block coversocket 40. The block cover indents 45 may have any desired configurationthat allows a portion of the pin holder 20, pin holder drum 25, and/orload supporting member 10 to pass. In some instances, however, the blockcover indents 45 may not allow another portion of the pin holder 20 topass therethrough. The block cover indents 45 can be formed in anyportion of the connecting block cover 35 and are not limited to beingformed in both sides of the cover 35 or in the front of cover 35. Forexample, one or more indents, apertures, or openings could allow theload supporting member 10 to be inserted from the side of the connectingblock cover 35. In some embodiments, the block cover indents 45 may notbe formed in cover 35, and may be additionally or alternatively formedin the connecting block 65. The block cover first pin apertures 50 maybe any mechanism for interfacing with an attachment latch 100, and mayinclude, for example, spring-biased surfaces that secure the attachmentlatch 100 to either the connecting block cover 35 or the connectingblock 65 by sandwiching a portion of the attachment latch 100. The blockcover second pin apertures 55 and/or a connecting block second apertures85 can alternatively or additionally include any mechanism for securingthe connecting block cover 35 and the connecting block 65 together. Forexample, spring-biased surfaces configured to squeeze portions of theconnecting block cover 35 and/or the connecting block 65 may be providedin place of the connecting block pin 90.

As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting block 65 may include one or moreslots 32 for receiving a portion of the pin holder 20 and/or the loadsupporting member 10. For example, the pin 30 may be received within theslots 32. The connecting block 65 may also include a connecting blocksocket 70 and a connecting block cavity 80 for receiving the pin holderdrum 25 and the pin 30 therein. A connecting block first aperture 75 maybe provided for receiving a lifting bar pin 130 therethrough. Also, theconnecting block second apertures 85, which may be referred to asconnecting block apertures, may be provided for receiving a connectingblock pin 90 therethrough. In some instances, the connecting block 65and the connecting block cover 35 are integrated into one component by,for example, providing the connecting block 65 with a block cover firstpin aperture. The connecting block socket 70 can be situated at anyposition in the connecting block 65. For example, socket 70 may openalong another desired axis. The connecting block socket 70 may have anyconfiguration capable of accepting all or a portion of the pin holder 20(including the pin holder drum 25), the load supporting member 10,and/or the pin 30. In some instances, the connecting block 65 and/or theconnecting block cover 35 are not secured to the lifting bar 112 using alifting bar pin 130. Instead, for example, these components may bemolded together as integrated components, such that the lifting bar pin130 is not necessary.

The connector 60 can further include an attachment latch 100 havinglatch flanges 105 that may be complimentary to the block cover indents45 such that the latch flanges may fit within the block cover indents45. Latch pins 110 of the attachment latch 100 may be receivable withinthe block cover first pin apertures 50. The attachment latch 100 mayfurther include an attachment latch main body 120, which, in someembodiments, can have a finger depression formed therein, and anattachment latch biasing element 115, such as a spring, for biasing theattachment latch 100 towards a “closed” position. In the closedposition, the latch flanges 105 can abut the connecting block cover 35at the block cover indents 45. The attachment latch 100 may not behingedly or swingably secured to the connecting block cover 35 or theconnecting block 65 in some instances. The attachment latch 100 mayinstead have, for example, a push-button configuration in which thelatch 100 opens and closes by being pressed into the connecting blocksocket 70, rather than “swinging” into the connecting block socket 70.Alternatively, the attachment latch 100 may swing along a different axisor edge. The latch pins 110 may be replaced with any connecting,fastening, or securing mechanism for securing the attachment latch 100to the connecting block cover 35. For example, rather than latch pins110 being received within the block cover first pin apertures 50, aportion of the attachment latch 100 may be slid into a latch pocket orsimilar structure formed in the connecting block cover 35 or connectingblock 65. In some instances, an additional latch may be provided in theconnecting block socket 70 to control the movement of the pin holderdrum 25 while the pin holder drum 25 is situated in the connecting blocksocket 70.

The lifting bar 112 may be integrated with the connecting block 35and/or the connecting block cover 65. Additionally, the connector 60described herein or the various components that comprise the connector60 can be sculpted, carved, or otherwise formed in the lifting bar 112.For example, the load supporting member 10 can be secured to the liftingbar 112 by inserting a portion of the member 10 into the connectingblock socket 70 that may be carved into the lifting bar 112, forexample, by pushing an attachment latch secured to the lifting bar 112.A thrust bearing may also be provided between the lifting bar pin 130and the lifting bar 112 to ease rotation between the lifting bar pin 130and the lifting bar 112. As shown in FIG. 6, the lifting bar pin 130 caninclude a lifting bar pin aperture 140 configured to receive theconnecting block pin 90 therethrough. Although FIG. 6 illustrates theconnector 60 being used with the lifting bar 112 shown in FIG. 4, theconnector 60 may also be used with the lifting bar 12 shown in FIGS. 1-3and 5, or with various other lifting bar embodiments.

Referring to the assembled connector 60 in FIG. 7, which shows theattachment latch 100 in the closed position, the connecting block 65shown in FIG. 6 is situated in the connecting block cover 35, and theconnecting block 65 and block cover 35 are secured to the lifting bar112 using the lifting bar pin 130. The load supporting member 10 havingthe pin holder 20 within the slot 15 is secured to the lifting bar 112via the connecting block 65 and block cover 35. The attachment latchmain body 120 covers the connecting block socket 70, and the latchflanges 105 cover the block cover indents 45 (FIG. 6). Thisconfiguration may help to secure the load supporting member 10 bypreventing the pin holder drum 25 from being moved out of the connectingblock socket 70 via the block cover indents 45. The attachment latch 100may be spring biased using the attachment latch biasing element 115,such that the attachment latch 100 can swing in a forward direction tomove the attachment latch main body 120 and the latch flanges 105 intothe connecting block socket 70. In some instances, however, theattachment latch 100 may be prevented from swinging further in anopposite backward direction than the closed position, which may helpmaintain the pin holder drum 25 and pin 30 within the connecting blocksocket 70.

Referring to FIG. 8, to secure the load supporting member 10 to thelifting bar 112, part of the terminating component, such as the pinholder 20 or pin holder drum 25, may be pressed against the attachmentlatch main body 120, as shown by arrow 300, to swing the attachmentlatch 100 into the connecting block socket 70. Doing so moves theattachment latch 100 between an open position and the closed position,for example, from the closed position to the open position. In someinstances, the pin holder drum 25 can be pressed against the attachmentlatch main body 120 in a direction that is substantially perpendicularto the connecting block 65, as shown in FIG. 8. The attachment latch100, however, can be spring biased against the open position, that is,biased to the closed position. Therefore, once the pin holder drum 25and pin 30 have been moved past the attachment latch 100, the attachmentlatch 100 swings back into the closed position such that the flanges 105of the attachment latch 100 abut the block cover indents 4, as shown inFIG. 7. The load supporting member 10, the pin holder 20, and/or the pin30 can then be lifted upwardly and slide into slots 32, as shown byarrow 302. After being lifted and with the attachment latch 100 in theclosed position, the load supporting member 10, pin holder 20, and/orpin 30 may be rotated within the slots 32 in a first directionapproximately 90°, as shown by arrow 304, thereby positioning the wings22 at least partly above the connecting block cover 35. Once the wings22 are in place, the pin holder 20 may resist downward motion as thewings 22 abut the top of the connecting block cover 35. In this manner,the load supporting member 10 can be secured to the connecting block 65,which is secured to the connecting block cover 35 and the lifting bar112. In some instances, the attachment latch 100 may remain in the openposition until the load supporting member 10, pin holder 20, and/or pin30 is rotated within the connector block 65 so that the wings 22 abutthe top of the connecting block cover 35. Although the lifting bar 112is shown in FIG. 8, the attachment (and detachment) methods describedherein may be applied to the lifting bar 12 of FIG. 2 in a similarmanner.

Referring to FIG. 9, to detach the load supporting member 10 from thelifting bar 112, the attachment latch 100 may be pressed or pushedforwards, as shown by arrow 306, manually by a user or automatically,into its open position. When the attachment latch 100 is pressed, theload supporting member 10 may be detached from the connecting block 65by, for example, rotating the load supporting member 10, the pin holder20, and/or the pin 30 within the slots 32 in a second directiondownwardly approximately 90°, as shown by arrow 308, thereby helping toclear the wings 22 from the top of the connecting block cover 35. Insome instances, when the attachment latch 100 is pressed, the loadsupporting member 10 may be detached from the connecting block 65 bylowering or moving (e.g., sliding) the load supporting member 10, thepin holder 20 , or the pin 30 in a downward direction within, forexample, the slots 32 of the connecting block cover 65, as shown byarrow 310. This method of detachment may allow the load supportingmember 10, the pin holder 20, and/or the pin 30 to be separated from theconnecting block 65 by moving the pin holder drum 25 and pin 30 out ofthe connecting block cavity 80 and past the block cover indents 45, asshown by arrow 312. In some instances, the load supporting member 10,pin holder 20, and pin 30 may be moved in a direction that issubstantially perpendicular to the connecting block 65 duringdetachment. Once the pin holder drum 25 and the pin 30 have moved pastthe block cover indents 45, the attachment latch 100 can be allowed toreturn to its closed position.

Various modifications of the devices and methods described herein may beprovided. For example, the connector 60, and more specifically theconnector body, may be provided without the connector block cover 35 forcovering the connector block 65. If no connector block cover 35 isprovided, other portions of the connector 60, such as the connectorblock 65, may include any of the features of the connector block cover35. For example, the connector block 65 can be configured to receiveand/or support the attachment latch 100 by having additional aperturesor depressions configured to receive the latch pins 110 to rotatablysupport the attachment latch 100 in the connector block 65.

Additionally, the pin holder 20 and/or load supporting member 10 may beprovided with a mechanism to change the width or other dimension(s) ofthe pin holder drum 25, such that the pin holder drum 25 may pass intothe connecting block socket 70 as desired. For example, the pin holder20, pin holder drum 25, and/or load supporting member 10 may include aretractable, spring-biased flange that includes a portion that isexternal to the pin holder drum 25. By pressing, for example, a buttonor the flange itself, the flange can retract in an inward direction,partly or entirely into the pin holder 20, pin holder drum 25, and/orload supporting member 10, thereby allowing manipulation of thedimensions of the pin holder 20, pin holder drum 25, and/or loadsupporting member 10. This may allow the pin holder 20, pin holder drum25, and/or load supporting member 10 to fit past an opening, such as theblock cover indents 45, that opens onto the connecting block socket 70.When the flange is in the connecting block socket 70, the flange may bereleased or otherwise allowed to protrude again, which can prohibit thepin holder 20, pin holder drum 25, and/or load supporting member 10 fromexiting the connecting block socket 70 until the flange is againretracted.

Additionally, the lifting bars 12, 112 described herein can have avariety of other configurations capable of interfacing with the ceilinglift system 2. For example, the lifting bars 12, 112 can includemultiple bars, connectors, sockets, apertures, and the like.Furthermore, the lifting bars 12, 112 may be integrated with the loadsupporting member 10, or at least a portion thereof so as to provide asmooth and uninterrupted transition from the load supporting member 10to the lifting bars 12, 112.

FIGS. 10-14 depict a variety of additional embodiments of the liftingbar. FIG. 10 illustrates a third example embodiment of a lifting bar 212according to the present disclosure. The lifting bar 212 includes a mainbody 213 having curved structural members 222, a cross member 224, asupporting member 216, and a connecting member 226. The curvedstructural members 222 may extend through an opening 228 in thesupporting member 216. In some instances, the opening 228 is a throughhole extending entirely through the supporting member 216, in which casethe plurality of curved structural members 222 may be provided as asingle structural member 222 connecting to opposite ends of the crossmember 224. The lifting bar 212 may also include support connectors 218.The support connectors 218 may extend from the main body 213 and includea variety of configurations, such as the spherical configuration shownin FIG. 10, that may function as safety mechanisms and help retain apatient support attached to the lifting bar 212. In some instances, thelifting bar 212 may also include a handle 220 for maneuvering thelifting bar 212. A lifting bar aperture 229 may be formed in thesupporting member 216 for receiving a lifting bar pin to connect theconnector 60 to secure the lifting bar 212 to the load supporting member10.

FIG. 11 shows a fourth example embodiment of a lifting bar 311 accordingto the present disclosure. The lifting bar 311 includes a plurality ofelongate members 313 extending from a central structure 318, which maybe collectively referred to as a main body. Each elongate member 313 mayterminate in a support connector 314 having a movable safety mechanism316, such as a latch, a clamp, or the like. To allow for connection toan apparatus such as the ceiling lift system 2 shown in FIG. 1, thecentral structure 318 of the lifting bar 311 may include a lifting baraperture 329. The lifting bar aperture 329 may be configured to receivea lifting bar pin to connect to the connector 60 so that the lifting bar311 may be securely connected to the load supporting member 10.

FIG. 12 shows a fifth example embodiment of a lifting bar 412 accordingto the present disclosure. The lifting bar 412 includes a plurality ofelongate members 413 extending from a central structure 418, which maybe collectively referred to as a main body. Each elongate member 413 mayterminate in a support connector 414 having a movable safety mechanism416, such as a latch, clamp, or the like. To allow for connection to anapparatus such as the ceiling lift system 2 shown in FIG. 1, the centralstructure 418 of the lifting bar 412 may include a lifting bar aperture429. The lifting bar aperture 429 may be configured to receive a liftingbar pin to connect to the connector 60 so that the lifting bar 412 maybe securely connected to the load supporting member 10.

FIG. 13 illustrates a sixth example embodiment of a lifting bar 512according to the present disclosure. The lifting bar 512 includes anelongated main body 513, which terminates at two opposite ends withsupport connectors 514. Each support connector 514 may include a safetymechanism 516, such as a latch, clamp, or the like. The lifting bar 512may also include a raised member 527, which can act as an additionalsupport, cover, or handle for a person operating the ceiling lift system2 when the lifting bar 512 is installed. The raised member 527 may beformed either separately from or integrally with the main body 513. At acentral position along the main body 513, a lifting bar aperture 529 maybe provided for receiving a lifting bar pin to connect the connector 60,so that the lifting bar 512 may be securely connected to the loadsupporting member 10.

FIG. 14 shows a seventh example embodiment of a lifting bar 612according to the present disclosure. The lifting bar 612 includes a mainbody 613, which may be formed of a plurality of connecting members.Extending members 622 extend from opposite ends of the main body 612,and a plurality of support connectors 614 may be provided at differentpositions along the extending members 622. As shown in FIG. 14,additional support connectors may also be provided on portions of themain body 613. The support connectors 614 may each include a safetymechanism 616 configured to securely retain, for example, the patientsupport 8 when the lifting bar 612 is in use. An additional supportingmember 618 may extend from the main body 613 and be connected to acentral structure 615. In some instances, as shown in FIG. 14 theadditional supporting member 618 may extend in a plane that issubstantially perpendicular to a plan in which the main body 613 and theextending members 622 are located. The central structure 615 may includea lifting bar aperture 629, which may be configured to receive a liftingbar pin to connect the lifting bar 612 to the connector 60 so that thelifting bar 612 may be securely connected to the load supporting member10. The various components of the lifting bar 612, such as the main body613, the additional supporting member 618, and the extending members622, may be formed as bars having rectangular cross-sectional shapes,circular cross-sectional shapes, or any other cross-sectional shape.

Like the lifting bars 12, 112, either of which may be used with theconnector 60, any of the lifting bars show in FIGS. 10-14 may also beused with the connector 60 and incorporated into the ceiling lift system2 shown in FIG. 1.

The various lifting bars and the connector 60 described herein may beused with a ceiling lift or other lifting device to removably securevarious components and devices together in a variety of medical andnonmedical settings. In a medical setting, for example, the ceiling liftsystem 2 can support a patient in the patient support 8, such as asling. Using, for example, a controller (not shown) electricallyconnected to the ceiling lifter 6, an operator can move the lifting barsand load supporting member 10 via the lifter 6. When the patient issupported in the patient support 8 that is attached to the lifting bars,the patient can be moved vertically and/or horizontally. The lifter 6may function as a winch or similar crank device such that winding takesup more of the load supporting member 10 to raise the patient, whereasunwinding may let out the load supporting member 10 to lower thepatient. Moving the lifter 6 along the track system 4 can also allow forhorizontal and/or vertical movement.

The various lifting bars described herein may be manufactured usingvarious methods. For example, the lifting bars illustrated in FIGS. 1-3and 5, 11, 12, and 13 may be entirely manufactured by injection moldingin a single step. Referring to the lifting bar 12 shown in FIGS. 1-3 and5 for example, the main body 13 and support connectors 14 can bemanufactured in one step and at the same time, such that the lifting bar12 is a single, continuous elongated member. As used herein, the term“continuous” as it refers to the structure of the lifting bar 12 mayindicate that the lifting bar 12 is an elongate member without breaks,joints, or the like between the main body 13 and the support connectors14. The lifting bar 12 may be molded to be completely solid, that is,not having any open spaces within the lifting bar main body 13 and thesupport connectors 14 (other than the apertures 19). In other instances,however, the lifting bar 12 may be molded around a core such that theremay be empty or hollow spaces within the lifting bar 12. Additionalsteps, for example, abrasion techniques such as sanding, may be takenafter the single molding step to further smooth the outer surface of thelifting bar 12. While the safety mechanism 28 may also be manufacturedin the single injection molding step used to produce the lifting bar 12,in some instances, the safety mechanism 28 may be produced separatelyfrom the lifting bar 12. When the safety mechanism 28 is producedseparately, it may be secured to the lifting bar 12 after the injectionmolding step is complete.

With respect to the lifting bar illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, thelifting bar 112 may be manufactured in two injection molding steps. Theinner core 150 may first be secured in place by connecting retainingpins through the various retaining pin holes 164. These retaining pins(not shown) may hold the lifting bar 112 in place during at least afirst step of the injection molding process. During the first step, thematerial, such as a thermo-plastic, can be over-molded around the entireinner core 150 to form a capsule such that the inner core 150 isencapsulated or surrounded by the molded material. Because the innercore 150 is held in place by the retaining pins, however, unfilledspace, or holes, may exist where the retaining pins were located. Theretaining pins can be removed after the first molding step and, during asecond step of the injection molding after the first step, additionalmaterial can be injected to mold the lifting bar main body 113, thesupport connectors 114, and/or the safety mechanism 102. In someinstances, the safety mechanism 102 is produced separately from theinjection molding steps, such that the safety mechanism 102 may besecured to the lifting bar 112 after the two injection molding steps arecomplete. The second step of the injection molding may also fill in thespaces formed by the retaining pins. The second step may result in astrip 125 of material being formed along one or more portions of thelifting bar 112. In some instances, the material used during the firstand second steps may be the same material. In other instances, however,the material used to fill in the spaces left by the retaining pins inthe second step may be different from the material used to mold the mainbody 113 and support connectors 114 during the first step. If, forexample, an undesired strip of material or imperfection results from thetwo injection molding steps, additional steps, such as abrasiontechniques like sanding, may be taken to smooth the outer surface of thelifting bar 112.

In any of the described methods of manufacturing the lifting bars, theresultant surface finish of the lifting bars may be non-porous,cavity-free, and/or smooth. The lifting bar 12 as shown in FIG. 2, forexample, may be manufactured in one injection molding step as a singlecontinuous element having few, if any, cavities and/or other details onits surface. While the lifting bar 112 as shown in FIG. 4 may bemanufactured in multiple steps, it can also exhibit a smooth, generallycavity-free surface finish.

Hygiene can be important in preventing the spread of disease in medicalsettings. To prevent cross-contamination of infected surfaces and otherstructures, caregivers must be diligent in cleaning equipment and areasaccessible to patients by, for example, using a known disinfectant. Thedescribed lifting bars may be subject to manipulation in a patient room,for example, such that it is important to reduce the risk ofcross-contamination. The lifting bars may facilitate the ease with whichthe lifting bars can be cleaned, which can reduce the time needed forcleaning, thereby enhancing efficiency and lowering costs. The smooth,non-porous surface finish of the lifting bars can also allow for bettercleaning results, resulting from a quick and continuous cleaningmovement that can be employed, which can in turn decrease the spread ofdisease. The lifting bars described herein may be provided withouthaving one or more of the following: details such as steps betweenvarious profiles forming the lifting bar body or other small,hard-to-reach features; separately connected support connectors; jointsor junctions that may create cavities that can be difficult toeffectively clean; or the like. For example, the single-element designof the lifting bar 12, manufactured in a single step as describedherein, can contribute to the smooth surface finish and the ease withwhich the lifting bar 12 is cleaned. The lifting bar 112 of FIG. 4,which may be manufactured in multiple steps, can also have a smooth,uninterrupted surface finish allowing for easy cleaning. Furthermore, ininstances when the lifting bars are integrated with the load supportingmember 10, the integration can result in a structure that requires lesseffort to effectively clean. The spaces, such as spaces 26, 126 definedby the support connectors 14, 114, of lifting bars 12, 112,respectively, can also be large enough and smooth so as to be easilyaccessible to, for example, a caregiver, so that the caregiver maymanually clean the support connector 14, 114, including the supportingsurface 24, 124, and to enable insertion or attachment of the patientsupport 8 to the lifting bars 12, 112. In addition to the lifting bar,the hand control (not shown) can also include a smooth, flexiblemembrane, rather than highly texturized control buttons. This canfacilitate the ease with which the hand control is cleaned, whileproviding a hand control that is easy to use, ergonomic, aesthetic,compact, and that has a generally low manufacturing cost.

During a medical procedure, safety, efficiency, and cleanliness areoften important for the caregiver to provide effective care to apatient. This is especially true as the number of patients andprocedures a caregiver is responsible for increases. During procedureswhere a lift device may be used, a lifting bar, such as the variouslifting bars described herein, may need to be repeatedly connected anddisconnected to and from a load supporting member. The lifting barconnector 60 described herein may be a compact and easy-to-clean devicethat enables fast, easily initiated, and sturdy connection and/ordisconnection between various load supporting members and lifting bars.The lifting bar connector 60 can allow for quick replacement of alifting bar with another similar or different lifting bar in a mannerthat is intuitive and safe for the patient and caregiver. Moreover, theconnector 60 may not significantly reduce the lifting stroke, that is,the vertical distance in which the lifting bar and attachments maytravel, of the ceiling lift system 2. Additionally, the smooth orstreamlined design of the connector 60, particularly the connectingblock cover 35, may allow for simple and effective cleaning of theconnector 60 and surrounding area. Because the connector 60 may befrequently handled by a person during connection and disconnection ofthe various lifting bars, easy and complete cleaning of the connector 60and surrounding area can be important to preventing the spread ofdisease.

The attaching and detaching sequence described herein may be generallyquick and simple, as it involves a clipping action as the loadsupporting member 10, pin holder 20, and pin 30 are pushed to or pulledaway from the connecting block 65 of the connector 60. The attachmentmethod may be especially convenient because there is no need to firstunlock a device before the attachment. The attachment latch 100 beingbiased to the closed position, for example, allows for attachment of theload supporting member 10, pin holder 20, and pin 30 without having tounlock any portion of the device, while securely retaining theseelements within the connecting block 65. While there is no “unlocking”required prior to attachment, because the attachment latch 100 is biasedto the closed position (e.g., by using the attachment latch spring 15),the attachment latch 100 may function as a safety device that resistsaccidental detachment of the load supporting member 10, pin holder 20,and pin 30 from the lifting bars. As described herein, a safety measureis incorporated into the present device and method by requiring manual,voluntary action to achieve detachment.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed apparatus andmethod. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosedsystem and method. It is intended that the specification and examples beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by thefollowing claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A patient lift connector for attaching anddetaching a patient lifting bar to a load supporting member in a patientlifting system, wherein the connector comprises: a connector bodyincluding a connecting block configured to be fixedly attached to thepatient lifting bar; a pin holder coupled to the load supporting memberand configured to be inserted through the connector body and into theconnecting block; and an attachment latch secured to the connector bodyand configured to move between an open position and a closed positionwithin the connector body, such that when the attachment latch movesfrom the closed position to the open position, the pin holder is allowedto be inserted into the connecting block and thereby allow the liftingbar to be attached to the load supporting member.
 2. The connector ofclaim 1, wherein the connecting block includes an aperture configured toreceive a lifting bar pin that extends through the lifting bar.
 3. Theconnector of claim 1, wherein the connector body includes an indent andwherein the attachment latch includes a latch flange configured to abutthe indent when the attachment latch is in the closed position.
 4. Theconnector of claim 1, further comprising: a slot formed in theconnecting block; wherein the pin holder is configured to slide withinthe slot during attachment and detachment of the lifting bar.
 5. Theconnector of claim 4, further comprising: a pin configured to bedisposed within a pin holder drum of the pin holder, wherein the pin isconfigured to slide within the slot during attachment and detachment ofthe lifting bar.
 6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the attachmentlatch includes a latch pin and the connector body includes a pluralityof latch pin apertures, and wherein the attachment latch is configuredto move between the open position and the closed position by rotatingthe latch pin within the latch pin apertures.
 7. The connector of claim1, wherein the attachment latch includes a biasing element configured tobias the attachment latch to the closed position.
 8. The connector ofclaim 7, wherein the biasing element is a spring.
 9. The connector ofclaim 1, wherein the connecting block is configured to allow the pinholder to rotate within the connector block when the attachment latch isin the closed position.
 10. The connector of claim 1, wherein the pinholder includes a plurality of wings configured to abut a top of theconnector body to prevent downward motion of the pin holder when thelifting bar is attached to the load supporting member.
 11. The connectorof claim 1, wherein the connector body includes a block cover, andwherein the connecting block is disposed within a socket of the blockcover.
 12. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connecting block isfixedly attached to the patient lifting bar by a connecting block pinextending through the connecting block.
 13. The connector of claim 1,wherein the lifting bar, which is configured to be attached and detachedfrom the load supporting member, comprises: an elongated main body; asupport connector extending from the main body and configured to supporta patient lift apparatus on a first surface of the support connector;and a safety mechanism movably connected to the support connector andfor enclosing a space defined, at least in part, by the first surface ofthe support connector, wherein the support connector is integrallyconnected to a portion of the elongated main body, such that the liftingbar is a single structural element.
 14. A patient lift connector forattaching a patient lifting bar to a load supporting member in a patientlifting system, wherein the connector comprises: a connector bodyincluding a connecting block configured to be fixedly attached to thepatient lifting bar; a terminating component of the load supportingmember that is configured to be inserted through the connector body andinto a slot of the connecting block; and an attachment latch secured tothe connector body and configured to move between an open position and aclosed position within the connector body, wherein the terminatingcomponent is configured to move the attachment latch from the closedposition to the open position to cause attachment of the lifting bar tothe load supporting member, wherein the slot of the connecting block iscovered by another part of the connector body.
 15. The ceiling liftsystem of claim 14, wherein the connector further comprises: a pinconfigured to be disposed within a pin holder drum of the terminatingcomponent, wherein the pin is configured to slide within the slot duringattachment and detachment of the lifting bar.
 16. The ceiling liftsystem of claim 14, wherein the lifting bar, configured to be attachedand detached from the load supporting member, comprises: an elongatedmain body; a support connector extending from the main body andconfigured to support a patient lift apparatus on a first surface of thesupport connector; and a safety mechanism movably connected to thesupport connector and for enclosing a space defined, at least in part,by the first surface of the support connector, wherein the supportconnector is configured to be connected to a portion of the elongatedmain body.
 17. The ceiling lift system of claim 14, further comprising acover removably disposed over the lifting bar.
 18. A method forattaching a patient lifting bar to a load supporting member in a patientlifting system through the use of a connector, the method comprising:pressing a terminating component of the load supporting member againstan attachment latch of the connector, wherein the attachment latch issecured to a connector body configured to be connected to the liftingbar; and moving the terminating component through a part of theconnector body and into a slot of a connecting block, wherein theattachment latch is configured to move between an open position and aclosed position within the connector body, such that the attachmentlatch moves to the open position when the terminating component ispressed against the attachment latch and wherein the attachment latchmoves to the closed position when the terminating component moves alongthe slot of the connecting block.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: lifting the terminating component within the slot; androtating the terminating component in a first direction until a portionof the terminating component abuts a top of the connecting block. 20.The method of claim 18, wherein the pressing moves the attachment latchbetween an open position and a closed position.